Niobium (Columbium) and Tantalum
Statistics and Information

Niobium and columbium are synonymous names for the chemical
element with atomic number 41; columbium was the name given in
1801, and niobium (Nb) was the name officially designated by
the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in 1950.
Niobium in the form of ferroniobium is used worldwide,
mostly as an alloying element in steels and in superalloys.
Appreciable amounts of niobium in the form of high-purity
ferroniobium and nickel niobium are used in nickel-,
cobalt-, and iron-base superalloys for such applications
as jet engine components, rocket subassemblies, and
heat-resisting and combustion equipment.

Tantalum (Ta) is ductile, easily fabricated, highly
resistant to corrosion by acids, and a good conductor of
heat and electricity and has a high melting point.
The major use for tantalum, as tantalum metal powder, is in
the production of electronic components, mainly tantalum
capacitors. Major end uses for tantalum capacitors
include portable telephones, pagers, personal computers, and automotive
electronics. Alloyed with other metals, tantalum is also used
in making carbide tools for metalworking equipment and in the
production of superalloys for jet engine components.

The United States does not have a niobium or tantalum mining
industry because resources are of low grade, and the United
States must import all of its niobium and tantalum source
materials for processing. Brazil and Canada are the major
producers of niobium mineral concentrates, and Australia,
Brazil, and Canada are the major producers of tantalum mineral
concentrates.